Drivers caught well over the speed limit from next week face a fine amounting to 150 per cent of their weekly earnings.

The higher fines comes into force on April 24 and mean any motorists found guilty of the most serious speeding offences may have to cough-up one-and-a-half times their weekly pay to cover the cost of their excessive speeding.

With the changes just a week away, we take a brief look back at how speed limits have developed over the last 185 years in the UK.

Speeding fine rise: From April 24, speeders caught well over the national limit will be fined up to 150% of their weekly salary

Under current legislation, drivers convicted of the most serious speeding offences have to pay 100 per cent of their weekly pay.

However, the Sentencing Council revealed in January that the rate would be increased at the end of April, though it will be capped at £1,000 - or £2,500 if you're clocked on the motorway.

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HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP

The new fines will hit drivers convicted of travelling at over 100mph on a motorway or other road with a 70mph limit, those going at more than 50mph in a 30mph zone or more than 40mph in a 20mph restriction.

If found guilty of these most serious speeding offences, a motorist earning an average salary of £28,000 would be fined around £800 for more serious speeding offences.

HOW FAR OVER THE LIMIT DO YOU NEED TO BE TO RECEIVE A 150% FINE?

Speed limit (mph)

Recorded speed (mph)

20

41 and above

30

51 and above

40

66 and above

50

76 and above

60

91 and above

70

101 and above

Source: Sentencing Council

Under current laws, they would have to fork out £540.

Exceeding the limit by these amounts will also have further ramifications, with a ban of seven to 56 days - depending on the gravity of the offence - as well as adding six points on their licence.

Sentencing Council member and district judge Richard Williams said: 'The magistrates’ courts deal with the vast majority of offenders in England and Wales, so it is essential that the guidelines they use are up to date and help ensure that sentences are applied consistently and effectively.

'We have listened to the views of magistrates, criminal justice professionals and others with an interest in particular offence types in developing these guidelines.

'We are grateful to all those who responded to the consultation and helped shape the final versions that will be used in courts.'

SPEEDING - DID YOU KNOW?

With the increased fines less than a month away, insurer Aviva has been looking back over the history of speeding, including how laws and offences have changed over time:

1832: While not restricted to speeding alone, the UK first introduced a Stage Carriage Act in 1832 that included an offense for endangering the safety of a passenger or person by 'furious driving'.

1861: The first numeric speed limits were created in the UK by a series of Locomotive Acts from 1861 - the first implemented a limit of 10mph.

1865: The 1865 Locomotive Act revised this to a speed limit of 2mph in the city and 4mph in rural areas for all road locomotives, including automobiles. The act - known as the 'Red Flag Act' - also said that a person holding a red flag had to walk in front of road vehicles pulling multiple wagons.

1896: The limit was next tinkered with in 1896, with the national restriction lifted to 14mph. Despite speeding laws being in place since 1861, it was this year that the first person was charged with a speeding offence in the UK. Walter Arnold from East Peckham was fined a shilling plus costs after being caught travelling at 8mph in a 2mph zone after being pursued by a policeman on a bicycle on 28 January.

1930: The speed limit for motor cars had been raised from 14mph to 20mph in 1903, but limits were then abolished altogether under the Road Traffic Act 1930 as many were seen to be disobeying the restrictions. Between 1930 and 1935 the number of annual road fatalities dropped from 7,305 to 6,502.

1935: The Road Traffic Act was updated to include a 30mph limit in built-up areas for all vehicles.

1937: No more excuses of 'I didn't know how fast I was going, officer,' as speedometers were made compulsory for new cars in 1937.

1940: The limit in built-up areas was lowered to 20mph at night-time in an attempt to halt the increase in the number of road casualties occurring during the World War II blackouts. It returned to 30mph in 1956.

1965: After fog caused a spate of serious motorway pile-ups, Minister of Transport Tom Fraser opened a consultation on implementing a speed limit on the nation's fastest roads. On 25 November 1965 the government announced a temporary 30mph limit on motorways affected by fog, ice or snow and a general maximum speed limit of 70mph at all other times - it became a permanent fixture two years later.

1973: Due to an oil crisis in 1973, a temporary maximum national speed limit of 50mph for all roads, including motorways, was introduced on 8 December 1973 to reduce fuel use. The restriction was lifted in May the following year but would be lowered again to reduce energy consumption soon after.

1977: The government announced that the national speed limits for single-carriageway roads would be increased to 60mph and that the 70mph motorway and dual-carriageway restriction would be restored.

1988: Almost 30 years ago, the current driving penalties points system for speeding was introduced in the UK, replacing a licence endorsement system.

1991: The first 20mph speed limits for residential areas were introduced. This was also the year the first UK speed camera was installed on the M40 - it recorded 400 instances of speeding within 40 minutes of being switched on.

2002: All speed cameras were made yellow to increase their visibility.